Hi everyone,
I hope you're all doing well. As a newly certified LEED BD+C AP, I have a few questions regarding a project we're currently working on, and I would appreciate your input.
We're working on a shell-only office building project in Europe (Greece) that involves only fabric improvements. The client will not be installing any HVAC systems, ductwork, or mechanical ventilation. Despite this, they are aiming for LEED certification at the Certified level. Since the tenant is not yet known, there is no tenant lease agreement, and the project is being assessed under the LEED Core and Shell (CS) rating system.
I would appreciate your guidance on the following:
How can we comply with IEQp1 and ASHRAE 62.1-2016? Given that there will be no HVAC systems, should the entire (open) space be considered as naturally ventilated? If so, would it need to comply with Option 1 or Option 2 for Naturally Ventilated Spaces? (Note: the building is not historic, so Option 3 is not applicable.)
Alternatively, if this approach is incorrect, can I use the Europe ACP: Naturally Ventilated Spaces guidance and ensure compliance with the single-sided ventilation limits?
Note: The v4.1 manual states, "CS only - Mechanical ventilation systems must be capable of meeting projected ventilation levels and monitoring based on the requirements of anticipated future tenants." However, in our case, the tenant is unknown, and the client does not want to install any mechanical ventilation systems.
Thank you very much, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Best regards,
Andrey Kuznetsov
ESG consultant, LEED AP BD+CSelf Employed
27 thumbs up
September 9, 2024 - 10:37 pm
Hah! I see you are in very tricky situation, which is not covered by regular LEED guidances.
No, it's not Naturally Ventilated Space since it's not designed to be so - it's designed to be HVAC ventilated. The problem is that you have no HVAC installed that "capable of meeting projected ventilation levels and monitoring based on the requirements of anticipated future tenants".
What I see as possible way - if you haven't passed design review, it's to make some design drawings with proposed HVAC (not that would be installed, but suitable for the project and possible tenants) and to pass the design review. And the construction stage review - to pass only after actuall tenant would install its HVAC.
If you already passed design review so or you are going to pursue combined review - to pass it only after tenant would appear and install HVAC.
Or to ask CIR for ventilation/energy efficiency/Cx credits that states that you would pass construction/combined review with such proposed HVAC not actually installed.
What would you say? Sounds reasonable applied to your situation?
Finance Team
Verte Ltd1 thumbs up
September 10, 2024 - 2:03 am
Hi Andrey, thank you very much for your response.
Our project will pursue a combined review (design + construction) and unfortunately there will not be a tenant by the time of submission. I have sent the question also to USGBC and I got the following feedback:
LEED v4.1 BD+C Reference Guide refers to LEED v4 Reference Guide with certain modifications. Under Rating System Variations of this prerequisite, it states that if the scope of the core-and-shell project does not include mechanical systems, the project is exempt from the ventilation and monitoring requirements.
What are your thoughts on this? I was thinking that i might have a problem to comply with the prerequisite, but based on their feedback i believe my problem can be solved.
Andrey Kuznetsov
ESG consultant, LEED AP BD+CSelf Employed
27 thumbs up
September 10, 2024 - 2:30 am
According to this: yes - you can pass for air supply requirements and have no problerms with this EQ prerequisite.
I believe you can have difficulties at energy modelling - since you would not be able to claim HVAC improvements at proposed/design case over baseline, since you haven't one. Get your eye on this - how to reach EA energy efficiency prerequisite.
Finance Team
Verte Ltd1 thumbs up
September 10, 2024 - 2:38 am
Hi Andrey,
Thank you once again for your prompt response.
Regarding the EA prerequisite, under v4.1 and ASHRAE 90.1 2016, there is no specific minimum energy improvement required over the baseline. We simply need to achieve a Performance Cost Index (PCI) that is less than or equal to the Performance Cost Index Target (PCIt). I've informed the client about this requirement. If we encounter any compliance issues with the prerequisite, the client is prepared to install efficient lighting and lighting sensors (PIR + Daylight) to enhance performance beyond just the fabric improvements. I've aimed for 1 point, with an additional potential point as a worst-case scenario. Therefore, I’m optimistic that everything will be fine in the end.
PS. The project will also have PV panels and the v4.1 EA Prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance it states that On-site renewable energy that meets ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2016 Section G 2.4.1 requirements for on-site renewable energy may be used to meet ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2016 performance requirements. So perhaps i will get some benefit out of this.